All Discussions Tagged 'questions' - Think Atheist2015-03-03T22:55:44Zhttp://www.thinkatheist.com/forum/topic/listForTag?tag=questions&feed=yes&xn_auth=nohow would you have responded?tag:www.thinkatheist.com,2013-09-15:1982180:Topic:13766462013-09-15T09:21:48.660ZRon Humphreyhttp://www.thinkatheist.com/profile/RonHumphrey
<p>Yesterday while making breakfast for my 10 year old cousin, out of the blue, she asked "Do you believe in God?'</p>
<p>I hesitated for a moment and asked if she wanted an honest answer. She said yes, so I said no, I don't believe there is a god.</p>
<p>Do you think I was right in being honest with a 10 year old. I will add that she did not follow up with any questions or comments. And that she is a very smart 10 year old.</p>
<p>Yesterday while making breakfast for my 10 year old cousin, out of the blue, she asked "Do you believe in God?'</p>
<p>I hesitated for a moment and asked if she wanted an honest answer. She said yes, so I said no, I don't believe there is a god.</p>
<p>Do you think I was right in being honest with a 10 year old. I will add that she did not follow up with any questions or comments. And that she is a very smart 10 year old.</p> General Questions About The Bible/Christianitytag:www.thinkatheist.com,2013-09-02:1982180:Topic:13710062013-09-02T18:50:30.977ZAsidiushttp://www.thinkatheist.com/profile/reesie528
<p>Hey Guys,</p>
<p>So I'm just looking to brush up on my knowledge regarding Christian beliefs so that I'm better prepared to explain my position of disbelief when the discussion arises (it has been a much more common topic around the house than I'd like, especially being the sole atheist of the family). I have some general questions mainly concerning timelines, tailored beliefs and context of things relating to the Bible. Any insight or helpful links would be greatly appreciated. Alright, so…</p>
<p>Hey Guys,</p>
<p>So I'm just looking to brush up on my knowledge regarding Christian beliefs so that I'm better prepared to explain my position of disbelief when the discussion arises (it has been a much more common topic around the house than I'd like, especially being the sole atheist of the family). I have some general questions mainly concerning timelines, tailored beliefs and context of things relating to the Bible. Any insight or helpful links would be greatly appreciated. Alright, so here's what I'd like more info on:</p>
<p>1) Does the Bible condone slavery? Every Christian that's confronted with this seems to flat out deny that it does, stating that those "slaves" were people who volunteered themselves to serve.</p>
<p>2) Over what period of time was the Bible written?</p>
<p>3) What's the story of Abraham killing his son?</p>
<p>4) Who are Cain and Abel?</p>
<p>5) What misogynist things does the Bible say about women?</p>
<p>6) Why don't Christians like to follow the Old Testament?</p>
<p>7) What has the Bible "predicted"?</p>
<p>8) Does the Bible have any racist implications?</p>
<p>9) Who was Mary Magdalene and what was so special about her?</p>
<p>10) What other religions does the Bible "borrow" from?</p>
<p></p>
<p>Thanks in advance! &lt;3</p> Ask Dr. Bobtag:www.thinkatheist.com,2013-07-29:1982180:Topic:13580142013-07-29T20:48:49.801ZDr. Bobhttp://www.thinkatheist.com/profile/ProfessorRobert
<p>It seemed these things were popping up in multiple discussions as people like @Suzanne chased me about, so rather than continue the multiple hijacks, maybe putting them here will be more entertaining for everybody. All I ask is that people be kind, and perhaps answer questions in turn. These questions come from…</p>
<p>It seemed these things were popping up in multiple discussions as people like @Suzanne chased me about, so rather than continue the multiple hijacks, maybe putting them here will be more entertaining for everybody. All I ask is that people be kind, and perhaps answer questions in turn. These questions come from <a href="http://www.thinkatheist.com/forum/topics/mad-at-the-outcome-thought-your-god-had-a-plan?id=1982180%3ATopic%3A1351702&amp;page=5#comments">http://www.thinkatheist.com/forum/topics/mad-at-the-outcome-thought-your-god-had-a-plan?id=1982180%3ATopic%3A1351702&amp;page=5#comments</a></p>
<blockquote><p>1. Why did you choose catholicism over all other religions?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Because it made the most sense to me on several levels. I of course can't rule out cultural bias, since obviously I'm a westerner and Roman Christianity is culturally pervasive. For me it was a conscious choice at some point, though I am not a convert. Interestingly, if I were not Catholic I'd be more inclined to Judaism than the Protestant faiths. Perhaps the shared intellectual depth of Judaism and Catholicism is a contributing factor.</p>
<blockquote><p>2. Do you follow the decrees made by the Vatican?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The Vatican does not make "decrees". The Holy See serves as the administrative center of the worldwide Catholic community, and we do have some administrative rules like any community (our technical term for these is "merely ecclesiastical laws"). For the rest, all we do is teach.</p>
<blockquote><p>3. Do you agree or disagree with contraception being available to those who would choose to use contraception, if they had access?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I'm not sure why I should care. Now sometimes when people say "being available" they mean that I should pay for it. I think that's a different sort of question that belongs more in the realm of public policy.</p>
<blockquote><p>4. How do you choose which parts of the bible to follow, and not follow.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>We don't "follow" the Bible, we read it and refer to it, the way anyone does with a favorite book or reference text. We try to "follow" God, perhaps, or the example of Jesus or other holy men or women, but not the Bible. In teaching things or exploring religious ideas, we refer to a wide range of writings and experiences, including long oral tradition, writings of various scholars, journal articles, encyclicals, consensus documents, conciliar writings, etc., much like any intellectual community.</p>
<blockquote><p>5. Is purgatory in or out, these days.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>It's a theory that had moderate but not universal acceptance some centuries ago. It's still referred to, but not anywhere near as widely as in its heyday. So it never quite rose to the level of Newtonian Mechanics in physics in terms of acceptance as a theory, and it's perhaps fading faster, but like Newtonian Mechanics it's still referred to in some contexts. </p> TAG...you're it. ``Just for fun``tag:www.thinkatheist.com,2010-11-18:1982180:Topic:4260482010-11-18T18:42:55.442ZMisty: Baytheist Living!http://www.thinkatheist.com/profile/MMartin
Once you've been tagged, cut and copy these questions. Paste them down below as a response and answer them.<br></br><br></br><br></br>1) What motto do you live by and why?<br></br>2) What's your favorite dessert?<br></br>3) What song could you listen to again and again?<br></br>4) Who is your biggest inspiration?<br></br>5) What one place on earth do you want to visit the most?<br></br>6) What book and author has influenced your opinion on religion the most?<br></br>7) When was the first time you ever referred to yourself as an…
Once you've been tagged, cut and copy these questions. Paste them down below as a response and answer them.<br/><br/><br/>1) What motto do you live by and why?<br/>2) What's your favorite dessert?<br/>3) What song could you listen to again and again?<br/>4) Who is your biggest inspiration?<br/>5) What one place on earth do you want to visit the most?<br/>6) What book and author has influenced your opinion on religion the most?<br/>7) When was the first time you ever referred to yourself as an atheist?<br/>8) What one piece of technology could you not live without?<br/>9) Quick! There is a zombie outbreak! What do you arm yourself with?<br/>10) What is your hidden, guilty pleasure?<br/>11......THIS IS THE IMPORTANT ONE......which three people are YOU going to tag and ask to answer these questions?<br/><br/><br/>
<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left"><img alt="" src="http://api.ning.com/files/pyyCHzpzMmDEXEM4gniMQRnd6CYmI7HZycmgkYN*CcrTP8H-1UMKqMIrW1mDVN-zk8jBarEXwq0SdrFRJEX*GUqIbo-q4huE/TAG.jpg?width=600"/></p>
<br/><br/><strong><em><u>To tag someone</u>, open the</em></strong> <a href="http://www.thinkatheist.com/forum/attachment/download?id=1982180%3AUploadedFi58%3A439716"><strong><em>TAG.txt</em></strong></a> <strong><em>file below, copy it's content and paste it on your target's home page wall.<br/><br/></em></strong>A.E, Skycomet and Sydni, I pick you.